Statistics show that the rated capacity of desalination plants in the Kingdom has grown from 5.1 million gallons [19.3 million litres] per day (mgd) in 1970 to 572.6 mgd [2,167 million litres] in 2000. The quantity of water supplied by the desalination plants has risen from 4.6 mgd [17.4 million litres] in 1970 to 458.1 mgd [1,734 million litres] in 1999, representing an average annual growth rate of 17.4%.